Printing-press.



J. WHITE.

- PRINTING PRESS.

, Patented Jan. 30, 1917.

3 SHETSSHE ET I.

Y m W M h 2 M a m .mmwa.

WITNESSES V MQ I 1. WHITE.

Patented. Jan. 30, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

\ fly T i I I l a g i I v 1 I I I I I LJ'QI I I I I 1 v l I 1 y l u v V A 1% I l .i f I i I i EIIIIIHHIIIII iiHl |l H||||||l||ll 1 I I I l 1} L i a H WW'NESSES ENVENTQR J. WHITE.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. I913.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

Fasoo Patented Jan. 30, 191?.

sra rns PAENT op J OSEPH WHITE, 0]? BEECHWOOD HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB T0 HALL PRINTING PRESSSOMPAN Y, OF DUNELLEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PRINTING-PRESS.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 5, 1913. Serial No. 765,413.

' wood Heights, Pis'cataway township, in the county of Middlesex, State of New Jersey,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Presses; and I do declare the following to be a full, true, and exact description of the said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make use of the same. The present invention relates primarily to that form of a printing press, commonly known as an offset press, in which the printing is done from a transfer surface one having an impression cylinder with which more than one transfer cylinder 00- operates to print successive colors on the sheet. means in presses of this type by which each sheet may be completely printed from a full supply of ink on the formcylinder without regard to whether the sheet is immediately preceded or followed by. another sheet or not. I'have also provided means by which the undue accumulation of ink on the form is prevented whenever the flow of sheets through the machine is interrupted, though means broadly for doing this is no part of my present invention. I have also provided a novel tripping device by which the impression of the successive printing cylinders may be tripped on the interruption of the .flow of sheets, such tripping takes place,

however, so that each sheet is fully printed, while at the same time printing on the blanket of the impression cylinder is prevented. This novel tripping means may be controlled in the usual manner by the foot of the operator or automatically by the presence or absence of a sheet at the sheet taking point of the machine.

With these and other objects in view, my-

invention consists of certain novel features of constructlon, combination, and arrange- -ment of parts as will be more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

By my invention, I have provided a y In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a multi-color offset press which illustrate my invention, omitted. Fig. 2 represents a fragment of the view shown in Fig. l to illustrate some of the parts in the relation which they would be when the transfer cylinders or ink rollers, 'or both, are tripped; Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the printing press illustrated in Fig. 1, with some of the parts omitted for the sakeof clearness. Fig. 4 represents a partial plan view of Fig. 1.

The corresponding parts are referred to both in the drawings and the specification by similar reference characters.

In the drawings, 10 represents generally the side frames of the printing press in which the various shafts and cylinders are supported.

11 represents an impressioncylinder having, in the press illustrated, two impression surfaces 12, 13, each provided with the usual set of grippers 14.

' 21. Forming printing couples with the transfer cylinders 18, 19 are the form cylin ders 22, 23, provided, respectively, with the form carrying surfaces 24, 25. Each of the form cylinders 22, 23, is provided with a set of rollers represented generally by 26, 27,

these rollers being provided with the usual arrangement by which ink from an ink fountain may be carried tothem.

The transfer cylinders 18, 19, are each mounted in eccentric hearings in the frame 10 so that, when these eccentric bearings are turned in one direction, each transfer cylinder is moved out of contact with the form cylinder and the impression cylinder with which it contacts, and when moved in the opposite direction, is moved into contact with such cylinders. In the normal operation of the press, a sheet fed from the sup.- port 17 is carried by the impression cylin- Patented. Jan. 36 1917.

der 11 into contact successively with the transfer surfaces 20, 21, to print succesprinted.

When, for any reason, a sheet is not supplied to the gijippers 16 of the feed cylinder 15, 1t becomes necessary to move the transfer cylinders out of contact with, the 1m-.

pression surface of thatcylinder, and at the same time, it is desirable to move each of the transfer cylinders out of contact with the form cylinder with Which it cooperates. In a multicolor machine, however, so that a sheet having had one of the colors placed thereon-will becompletely printed before it passes out of the press, the transfer cylinders must be moved in succession, and at;

the same time it is desirable that the trans fer cylinders .be thrown into printing-relation with the impression cylinder only in such a manner astoprevent any of them coming in contact with that impression surface which has had no sheet supplied to it. As a means for moving the transfer cylinders in their proper sequence, I provide a shaft 28 journaled in the frame 10, and carrying gearing which rotates the shaft 28 at a speed greater than that of the impression cylinder 11. In the machine which I have chosen for purposes of illustration, the ratio is four to one of the impression cylinder 11. On the shaft 28,1 provide an eccentric 29 connected by a link 30 to a yoke 31 loosely mounted to oscillate around the center of the cylinder 11. The yoke 31 is provided with ears 32, to each of which is pivotally connected a fork 33, 34.

Extending across the press are the shafts 35 to which are attached members 36 carrying pins 37, 38, standing in.the. plane of the forks 33, 34. Each of the forks 33, 34 is provided'with notches, as shown, adapted to'engage with either of the pins 37, 38, depending on the position to which-the fork is swung around its pivot in the car 32.- T0 the shafts 35 are attached levers .39 connected by links 40 with eccentric bearings in which the transfer cylinders are mounted. Through the connection 41, the fork 33 is yieldingly connected to the lever42, to which, through the shaft 43, is connected the lever 44 having a connecting. rod 45 connected to a lever 46. In Fig. 1, the transfer cylinder 18 is shown in printing relation with the form cylinder 22 and the transfer cylinder 19 in tripped or out of printing relation with the cylinder 23. The press would be in this position if no sheet had been presented to the-impression surface12, and a sheethad been presented to the surface 13. .If now no sheet is presented to the surface 12 by the feed cylinder 15, the transfer cylinder 18 must be moved out of printing relation before the surface 12 ,comes in contact with it. This is brought about by moving the conecting rod 45 downward from the position shown in Fig. 1, to the position shown in Fig. 2, by means to, be hereinaIter described. Through the levers 42 and 44, this results in pulling the rod 41 to the right, and in swinging the fork 33 clockwise around its pivot in the car 32. 'It will be understood, from the motion given by the eccentric 29 to the yoke 31, that the forks 33, 34, are reciprocating back and forth at all times, making four complete reciprocations to each rotation of the cylinder 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower notch in the fork 33 engages with the pin 38, but after having moved the pin 38 to the position shown in Fig. 1, no change would take place in the position of that pin until the fork 33 is swung to the right, as just described. When this swinging takes place, the upper notch in the fork 33, on one of the forward move ments of the fork, engages with the pin 37 and moves it upwardly, thus rotating the shaft 35 and carrying the pin 38 down- Wardly correspondingly' The rotation-of I shaft 35 rotates the lever 39 and, through the connection 40, moves the eccentric bushings carrying the transfer cylinder 18, thus moving it out of contact with the form and impression cylinders.

' The fork 34 is given its proper sequence of movement through a connection 47 connected to a lever attached to the upper shaft 35, and acting through a spring 48 on the fork 34. In the form illustrated, the press is so designed that the rotation of the upper shaft 35 serves to swing the fork 34 clockwise around its pivotal connection to the be operated by the foot of.the.feeder of the press, I prefer to provide an automatic device by which the cylinders will be tripped whenever a sheet is presented to the transfer cylinder 15. To this end, I provide a. pivoted member 50 arranged with a weight 51,. so that the upper end of the member 50 is normally in the path of a sheet moving along the support 17 to the point at which the gripper 16 takes it. This pivoted member is so balanced that a sheet is sufficient car 32 at a time which will bring the notch inmates to hold it in the position. shown in Fig. 2. But the absence of a sheet permits it to swing to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Pivoted in the frame 10 of the machine is a lever 52 connected through a connection 53 with a cam lever 54 moved by a cam 55 attached to the feed cylinder 15. The lever 52 carries a pivoted member having a lower arm 56 and an upper arm 57. This upper arm 57 is notched and swings in the plane.

of the lower end of the member 50 in such a manner that, when the lever 52 is swung upward by the cam 55, the notch in the arm 57 will engage with the lower end of the member 50, if no sheet is in the gripper 16, but will clear it provided a sheet is carried by the gripper'16. The lever 46 is mount-' ed on a shaft 58 to which is attached a lever 59 carrying a notched, spring-seated member 60, which lies in the plane of the arm 56. The arm 56 and the member 60 are normally in the positions shown in Fig. 1. Assuming now that a sheet is presented to the gripper 16, as shown in Fig. 2, the notched arm 57 will pass by the lower end of the pivoted member 50, and will not be disturbed in its relation to the member 60.

If, however, no sheet is presented to the gripper 16, then as the lever 52 swings upwardly, the notched member 57 engages with the pivoted member 50, swinging the arm 56 into the notch in the member 60. When the arm 52 is now swung downward by the cam 55, it carries with it the arm 59, thus pulling downward the connecting rod to trip the transfer cylinders. In the further rotation of the feed cylinder 15, the arm 59 and 52 rise, and if a sheet in the meantime has been presented to the grippers 16, the arm 56 swings out of the notch in the member 60, being no longer held therein by the contact of the arm 57 with the pivoted member 50, and at the next stroke, the arm 52 moves downward without affecting the arm 59, thus permitting the transfer cylinders to be restored to printing relation.

In moving the transfer cylinder into and out of printing relation with the form and impression cylinders, I find. it desirable to so arrange the mechanism and the cylinders that the transfer cylinder cannot be moved until after its transfer surface is out of printing contact with the impression cylinder, and yet moving it before its transfer surface comes in contact with the form of the form cylinder. This insures that each sheet will be completely printed. and yet that no ink passes from the form to the transfer cylinder unless that ink is to be immediately deposited on the sheet being printed. As shown in the drawings. I have arranged a multi-color offset press so that this peculiar movement of the transfer cylinder is given to each of the transfer cylinders in succession, and in proper orlength of the printing form. It is also desirable toarrange the cylinders in such a manner that the total height of the press shall be minimized, so as to bring as low as possible the parts necessary for the workmen to reach. With this object in view, I preferably arranged the various cylinders in the manner illustrated wherein the form cylinder is positioned closely to the impression cylinder, but, of course, out of contact therewith. It will also be understood that a certain length of time is required for moving the cylinders apart when tripping and this is represented by a gap necessarily pro vided in the circumference of the cylinders. By bringing the form cylinder as closely as possible to the impression cylinder, the maximum length of printing surface may be used on the cylinders, bearing in mind that, in accordance with another feature of my invention, it is necessary that the transfer surface shall have run out of contact with the impression surface andnot into contact with the form before the transfer cylinder isv moved and that sufiicient gap must be provided in the cylinders to give the tripping mechanism time to operate. It is also desirable, if possible, to arrange the printing cylinders so that there will be a space between the Water rollers and the form rollers in order that the workman may wipe the form after the latter has passed the water rollers and before it contacts with the ink rollers. As illustrated, I have accomplished this result in the first printing couple shown at the right of the Fig. 1. It will be understood that the water rollers necessary on planographic presses will be provided at the lower portion of the form cylinder 22, so

that a space at the right of the form cylinder 22 will be provided, available to the workman to wipe the form before it passes to'the ink rollers 26. This result is most conveniently accomplished when the cylinders are arranged as shown in Fig. 1, with the top of the form cylinder rotating from the inking rollers to the impression point between the form cylinder and the transfer cylinder. While this advantage cannot usually be obtained on all the printing couples in a multi-color press, it is desir-. able to have this arrangement on as many couples as possible, and, of course, if the machine is adapted to print in one color' frames, togetherrwith all of the inking rollers, may rise and fall, thus moving the inking rollers into and out of contact with the form cylinder. The mechanism for raising the rollers comprises, for each form cyl inder, a pairof oppositely disposed rollers,

62, 63, between which slides a cam bar 64,

so that as the bar is moved horizontally, the

frames carrying the rollers are lifted.

' thereto.

Referring now to the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, around the form cylinder 22, the

cam bar 64 is connected through a suitable link to a lever 65 mounted on a stub shaft 66 on the inner end of which is carried a member 67 bearing pins 68, 69 on its opposite ends. Moving between thepins- 68, 69,

is a member 70 pivotally connected to an ear 71 of the yoke 31,.this member 70 having a spear-shaped head and being provided with notches on either side arranged to engage with either of the pins 68, 69, in accordance with its position in relation The member 70 is given a reciprocating motion from the yoke 31, and therefore moves in unison with the forks 33, 34. The rod 72 connects the lever 42 yieldingly with the member 70. In the position shown, the inking rollers 26 are in contact with the form 24 and the member 70 is held'in such a positionthat its continued reciprocation does not affect the position of the rollers. If now the rod 45 is depressed to swing the lever 42 to the right, the member 70 is moved clockwise so that a notch therein engages with the pin 69, moving it downward and thus rotating the shaft 66 and moving the lever 65' to'the right, pushing the cam bar 64 and raising the inkingrollers 26. A reverse movement ofthe rod 45 moves the member 701 so that one of its notches engages with the "pin 68,

and allows the rollers to drop. In a similar manner,the movement of the cam bar 64 of the form cylinder 23, raises the set of rollers 27. This movement is accomplished by the rotation of the lever 39 to which the cam bar 64 is connected by a suitable link, and I have utilized the rotation of the shaft 35 for-this purpose, because the motion of that shaft in the press which I'have chosen for purposes of illustration, coincides with the proper time of motion for the bar 64. It is obvious that any other suitable means for operating the bar 64 of the cylinder 23 in timed relation with the bar 64 of the cylinder 22 may be used. I have arranged the rollers 26, 27 and the lifting mechanism for aaiaaea 7 them in such a. manner that when a sheet is not presented to one of the impression surfaces, the rollers 26 are lifted so as not to deposit ink on the forms unless that ink is to be taken, through the transfer cylinder,

. by a sheet being printed: This prevents the filling of the form because of the surplus j ink which would b accumulated unless the rollers were lifte Similarly I-arrange my rollers and the mechanism for'lowering them so that they are moved into position to ink the form completely whenever a sheet I is presented to the im ression surface. This results in each and e ery sheet being-properly pninted, which would not be the case if the rollers were not brought into inking position until aftera portion of the form had passed the rollers. Through the mechanism shown and described, -I have timed the raising and lowering of the sets of rollers 26, 27, so that exactly the same sequence of events occur with reference to the form sequence, and to untrip the transfercylinders andto lower the inking rollers, also in proper sequence. I derstood, that, because of my.peculiar arrangement for tripping and untripping the It should also be untransfer cylinders, the inking rollers are moved into contact with ,the form before the form comes in contact with the transfer surface and are moved out of contact with the form cylinder preferably before the transfer cylinder is moved out of com eccentric bearings of the transfer cylinders.

18, 19 have rotatably mounted in them, eccentric bushings 75, 'held in adjusted position by the connection 7 6 between ears con-' nected with the flanges of the two bushings. The center of eccentricity of the adjusting bushing 75 is placed in such a position-that the rotation of the bushing serves to move the center of the transfer cylinders 18 and .19 directly toward and away from the center of the impression cylinder. 11. The form cylinders .22, 23, are also mounted in eccentric bushings and these bushings in turn are rotatably adjustable'and held in adjusted position by a connecting rod 77,

passing through, a puppet 78 in the side frame of the machine; The eccentricity of this bushing is such as to cause the center of the form cylinder to move directly toward and away from the center of the transfer cylinder when the bushing is turned. Thus the printing relation of the transfer cylinder with the impression cylinder may be adjusted in a convenient manner, without altering the printing relation between the form and transfer cylinder, and likewise, the form cylinder may be conveniently adjusted in printing relation with the transfer cylinder.

It will be understood that the particular form of press which I have shown and described is merely for purposes of illustration, and that my invention may be applied to a wide variety of machines. In the application of some features of my invention, the number of printing couples, consisting of the form and transfer cylinders, may be increased indefinitely or decreased to a single couple, without altering the-arrangement of the mechanism. Similarly, while I have shown a specific form of tripping mechanism, and which I find desirable, any other suitable form may be used. It should also be understood that if the automatic arrangement shown in the lower right hand portion of Fig. 1 is dispensed with, and a foot trip used instead, a guard will be placed on the mechanism so that the tripping can take place only at the proper times.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a printing press, a form cylinder, a transfer cylinder, and an impression cylinder, said form cylinder being provided with inking rollers arranged to be moved into and out of contact with said form cylinder, and said transfer cylinder being arranged to be moved into and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, means to move said transfer cylinder, said cylinder and said means being so constructed and arranged that said transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfercylinder and said form cylinder, and automatic means to move said rollers into position to ink the form before the form reaches the impression point between said form and transfer cylinders.

2. In a printing press, a form cylinder, a transfer cylinder, and an impression cylinder, said form cylinder being provided with inking rollers arranged to be moved into and out of contact with said form cylinder, and said transfer cylinder being arranged to be moved into and out of printin relation with said impression and form cy inders, means to move said transfer cylinder, said cylinder and said means being so constructed and arranged that said transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said form cylinder, and automatic means connected to said cylinder moving means, to move said rollers into position to ink the form before the form reaches the impression point between said form and transfer cylinders.

3. In a printing press, the'combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession on each rotation of said impression cylinder, said transfer cylinders being arranged to be moved into andout of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, and means to move said transfer cylinders, said cylinders and said means being constructed and arranged so that each of said transfer cylinders is moved only after the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder and before the transfer surface reaches the line passing through the centers of said transfer cylinder and said form cylinder with which it cooperates.

4. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, and each of said form cylinders being provided with inking rollers, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession, said transfer cylinders being arranged to be moved into and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, and means to move said transfer cylinders, said cylinders and said means being constructed and arranged so that each transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and that form cylinder with which it cooperates, and automatic means to move each set of inking rollers into position to ink the form of that form cylinder with which said set cooperates before the havingan impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession, said transfer cylinders being arranged to be moved into and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, and means to movesaid transfer cylinders, said cylinders and said means being constructed and arranged so that each transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and that form cylinder with which it cooperates,

and automatic means tomove each set of said inking rollers into position to ink the form of that form cylinder with which said set cooperates, before the form reaches the impressicn point of said form cylinder, and to move each said set out of operative position before the form arrives at the inking point of said rollers.

6. In a printing press, the combinatlon of a pluralitv of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, andeach of said form cylinders being provlded inder and said impressioncylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and that. form cylinder with which it 00-- operates, and automatic means, connected to sand cylinder movlng means, to move each set of said inking rollers into position to ink the form of that form cylinder with which said set cooperates before the form reaches the impression point of said .form cylinder, and to move each said set out of operative position before the form arrives at the inking point of said rollers.

In a printing press, a form cylinder, a transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder, said form cylinder being provided with inking rollers arranged to be moved into and out of contact with said form cylinder, and said transfer cylinder being arranged to be moved into'and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders,

means to move said transfer cylinder, said cylinder and said means being so constructed and arranged that said transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said form cylinder, automatic means to move said rollers into position to ink the form before the fcrm reaches the impression point between said form and transfer cylinders, and automatic means, controlled by the presence or absence of a sheet at the sheet presenting point of the press, to control the operation of said cylinder moving means and said roller moving means. o

8, In a printing press, a form cylinder, a

, transfer cylinder, and an impression cylinder, said form cylinder being provided with inking rollers arranged to be. moved into and out of contact with said form cylinder,

and said transfer cylinder, being arranged to be moved into and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, means to'move said transfer cylinder, said cylinder and said means being so constructed and arranged that said transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer and said form cylinder, automatic means con nectd to said cylinder moving means, to move said rollers into position to ink the form before the form reaches the impression point between said form and transfer cylinders, and automatic means, controlled by the prsenceor absence of a sheet at the sheet presenting point of-the press, to control the operation ofsaid cylinder moving means and said roller moving means.

9. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession, said transfer cylinders being arranged to be moved into and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, means to move said transfer cylinders, said cylinders and said means beingconstructed and arranged 1 so that each of said transfer cylinders is movedonly after the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder has passedthe impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said form cylinder with which it cooperates, and automatic means, controlled by the presence or absence of a sheet at the sheet presenting point of thepress, to control the operation of said cylinder moving means.

prislng a form and a transfer cylinder, and each of said form cylinders being provided with inking rollers, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession, said transfer cylinders being arranged to be movedinto and out of pfinting relation with said impression and form cylinders, means to move Said transfer cylinders, said cylinders and said means being constructed and arranged so that each transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder'has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and thatform cylinder with which it cooperates, automatic means to move each set of inking rollers into position to ink the form of that form cylinder with which said set cooperates before the form reaches the impression point of said form cylinder, and automaticmeans, controlled by the presence or absence of a sheet at the sheet presenting point of the press, to control the operation of said cylinder moving means and said roller moving means.

'11. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, and each of said form cylinders being provided with inking rollers, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession, said transfer cylinders being arranged to be moved into and out of printing relation with said impression and form cylinders, means to move said transfer cylinders, said cylindersand said'means being constructed and arranged so that each transfer cylinder is moved into printing relation only after the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and before the transfer surface reaches the im pression point between said transfer cylinder and that form cylinder with which it cooperates, automatic means to move each set of said inking rollers into position to ink the form of that form cylinder with which said set cooperates, before the form reaches the impression point of said form cylinder, 7, and to move each said set out of operative.

position before the form arrives at the inking point of said rollers, and automatlc means, controlled by the presence or absenceof a sheet at the sheet presenting point of the press, to control the operation of said cylinder moving means and said roller moving'means.

12. In a printing press, a printing couple having inking rollers arranged to be moved intoand out of contact with the form, means to move said rollers, a sheet support whereby sheets may be fed to said couple, a mov able member adjacent said support and adapted to be moved by a sheet on said support and means, controlled by said member, to operate said roller moving means to cause said rollers to be moved into contact with the form when a sheet is in contact with said member and to move said rollers out of contact with the form when no sheet is in contact with said member.

13. In a printing press, a printing couple, couple tripping means, inking rollers arranged to be moved into and out of contact with the form, means to move said rollers, a sheet support whereby sheets mav be fed to said couple, a movable member adjacent said support and-adapted to be moved by a sheet on said support, and means, controlled by said member, to'operate said roller moving means and said tripping means, to move said rollers into contact with the form and to untrip said couple, when a. sheet is in contact with said member, and to move said rollers out of contact with the form and to trip the couple when no sheet is in contact with said member. a

14. In a printing press, a'printing couple, couple tripping means, inking rollers arranged to be moved into and out of contact with the form, means to move said rollers, a sheet support .whereby sheets may be fed to said couple, a movable member adjacent said support and adapted to be moved by a sheet on said support, and means, controlled by said member, to operate said roller moving means and said tripping means, first to move said rollers into contact with the form and then to untrip said couple when a sheet is in contact with said member, and first to move said rollers out of contact with the form and then to trip the couple when no sheet is in contact with said member.

"with said impression surface, cylinder mov- 1ng means for each of said printing cyl1nders, tripping means for each of said cylinder moving means, a movable member connected to each of said tripping means and means to move said member.

-16. An impression cylinder, a plurality of printing cylinders arranged to cooperate in succession with the impression surface of said impression cylinders, cylinder moving means for each of said printing cylinders, tripping means for each of said cylinder moving means, a movable member connected to each of said tripping means, means to move said member, and means to move said tripping means into and out of engagement with said cylinder moving means.

17. An impression cylinder, a plurality of printing cylinders arranged to cooperate in succession with the impression surface of said impression cylinder, cyhnder moving means for each of said printing cylinders,

operative movements for each rotation of sald impresslon cylinder.

18. An impression cylinder, a form cylinder and a transfer cylinder, eccentric bearings for said transfer cylinder, means to rotate said bearings to move said-transfer cylinder into and out of printing relation with said form and impression cylinders,eccentrio bushings in each of said eccentric bearings, means whereby said eccentric bushings may be turned to adjust the distance between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder when in printing relation, eccentric bearings for said form cylinder and means-whereby said eccentric bearings may be turned to control the distance between said transfer and said form cylinders when in printing relation.

19. An-impression'cylinder, a form cylmder anda transfer cylinder, eccentric bearings for said transfer cyllnder, means to rotate said bearings to move said transfer cylinder into and out of printing relation with said form and impression cylinders, eccentric bushings in each of said eccentric bearings, means whereby said eccentric bushings may be turned to adjust the distance between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder when in printing relation, said form cylinder being provided with movable journal-boxes whereby it may be adjusted toward and away from said transfer cylinder. l

20. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to' cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession on each rotation of said impression cylinder, and cylinder tripping means for each of sand couples, said cylinders'and said means being.

constructed and arranged so that each couple is tripped only after its transfer surface has passed out of contact with said mpression surface.

21.. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession on each rotation of said impression cylinder, and cylinder tripping means for each of said couples, said cylinders and said I means being constructed and arranged so that each form and each transfer surface completes its respective printing impressionto permit sheets to be fed to the lower por tion of said feed cylinder, said form cylinder and said feed cylinder being on the same side of the plane passing through the axes of said transfer and said impression cylinder. Y

23. In a transfer printing press, the combination of an impression cylinder, a transfer cylinder and a form cylinder, a feed cylinder cooperating with said impression cylinder at the lower portion thereof, and a sheet support constructed and arranged to permit sheets to be fed to the lower portion of said feed cylinder, the transfer surface on said transfer cylinder extending around at least one-half of the circumference of said transfer cylinder, and means to trip said transfer cylinder, said means and said cylinders being constructed and arranged so that said transfer cylinder is moved only after its transfer surface is out of printing contact with said impression cylinder and before the transfer surface reaches the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said form cylinder.

24. In a transfer printing press, the combination of an impression cylinder, a transfer cylinder and a form cylinder, a feed cylinder cooperatin with said impression cylinder at the lower portion thereof and a sheet support constructed and arranged to permit sheets to be fed to the lower porsame side of the plane passing-through the axes of said impression and said transfer cylinder, and said form cylinder being positioned adjacent said impression cylinder, and inking rollers cooperating with said form rollers and contacting with theupper portion thereof.

25. In a transfer printing press, the combination of an impression cylinder, a transfer cylinder and a form cylinder, a feed cylinder at the lower portion thereof and a sheet support constructed and arranged to permit sheets to be fed to thelower portion of said feed cylinder, said form cylinder and said feed cylinder being on the same side of the plane passing through the axes of said impression and said transfer cylinders, and said form cylinder being .positioned adjacent said impression cylinder, 13o

igaianea inking rollers cooperating with said form cylinder and contacting with the upper poreach rotation of said impression cylinder, and

tion thereof, and a delivery mechanism er ranged'to take the sheets from said impression cylinder, said delivery mechanism being positioned on .the side of said impression cylinder opposite that with which said feed cooperates.

26. In a rotary offset printing press, an impression cylinder having an impression surface, a plurality of transfer cylinders cooperating therewith, a plurality of form cylinders, each cooperating with one of said transfer cylinders, means for separating said cylinders, said cylinders and said means being constructed and arranged so that the separation of all of said transfer cylinders and said impression cylinder is completed only after. a'sheet carried by said impression surface has received a completed impression from each of said transfer cvlinders.

27. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each com-;

prising a form and a transfer cylinder, and

an impression cylinder having an impress1on surface arranged to cooperate with each of such transfer cylinders in succession on .each rotatlon of sa1d impresslon cylinder,

and means to trlp said cylinders, said cyl1n-" ders and said means being constructed and arranged so that said impression and trans.- fer cylinders are separated only after the transfer surface on each of said transfer cylinders has passed the impression point between said transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and so that the cylinders of each of said couples are separated only after the form thereof has passed the impression point of said couple.

28. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality'of printing couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, and

an impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with each of such transfer cylinders 1n succession on each rotation of said im ression cylinder, and means to trip said cylinders, said cylinders and said means'being constructed and arranged so that said impression and transfer cylinders are brought into contact before the transfer surface on each of said transfer cylinders reaches the, impression point between said transfer. cylinder and said impression cylinder, and so that the cylinders of each of said couples are brought into printing relation before the form thereon reaches the impression point of said couple.

29. lln-a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a form anda transfer cylinder, and

an impression cylinder-having an impres- .pression point thereof.

sion surface arranged to cooperate with each of such transfer cylinders 1n successlon on means to trip said cylinders, sald cylinders transfer cylinder and sa1d-. impression cylin- I der and are brought into contact before the transfer surface reaches the impression point, and so that the'cylinders ofeach'of said couplesare separated only after the form thereof 7 haspassed the. impression point of said cou-' ple and are brought into contact before the form has reached the impression point.

30. In a printin press; the combination of a plurality of prlnting couples, each comprising a form and a transfer cylinder, and an lmpresslon cylinder having an impressionsurface arranged to coiiperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession on each rotation of said impression cylinder,

and means to trip said couples, said cylinders and said means being constructed and arranged so that each couple, in succession,

is'separated' after its form has passed the impression point thereof and brought into printingrelation in the samesuccession before the form has reached the impression point. l I v 31. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of printing couples, each comprising a'form and a transfer cylinder, and

an impression cylinder having an impression I 1 surface arranged to cooperate with each of said transfer cylinders in succession on each rotation of said impresslon cylinder, and

.means to trip said couples, said cylinders v and said means being constructed and ar-' ranged so that each couple, in succession is separated after its form has passed the imform c has reached the impression point thereof.

aosnrn WHITE. Witnesses Pnrmr W. HALL, KJR. MOYNIHAN.- 

